Is the A-Board debate set to explode?

I hear on the grapevine that the owner of The Wharf is hopping mad after having had his business' A Board confiscated last Friday and who can blame him! If you scroll down to late November postings below you'll see that Tonbridge Blog has addressed this subject before. Indeed their now exists a Kent County Council scheme called A Board Aware which allows traders to apply to put a sticker on their windows saying that they are responsible board users and that they declare that they will not block the public highway (which includes the pavements) It seems that The Wharf owner hasn't heeded my advice to apply for a magic sticker. Mind you I did apply for mine on the same day, November 30th last year, and published the email I sent which you can still read below if you're that bothered. I also had to send them photos of typical positions of my intended A Board use. What did they conclude? Did they grant me a licence to display my sign? Well actually they neither granted it nor declined it. In fact I've heard nothing back from them at all. Not a thing, zilch. So much for clever, well meaning, sound bitey schemes if they take two months to get back to you. The guy at The Wharf will probably get a shock when he finds out that the Highways Department of KCC will bill him for taking the sign away, storing it and delivering it back again! That's what they intended to do to me a few years back so it probably hasn't changed. Now, ask yourself, in these times when all businesses are desperate for every bit of extra trade they can get, is this approach by KCC doing any good for the Tonbridge economy? The Courier are on to this matter I understand and will be publishing a piece for and against A Boards this Friday. Not exactly riveting stuff, you might think, but nevertheless an important topic for the town's retailers....

Local beers at the Rose and Crown please....

Having had a few very acceptable pints in the Rose and Crown the other night at the Tonbridge Tweetup (scroll down for that post) it occurred to me that maybe the hotel, which is smack bang in the centre of the old part of town, ought to be serving some of the wonderful local brewries' offerings. The beer in the hotel bar is acceptable, as I say, but it is, rather predictably, Harvey's and Green King. Both okay but nothing more than that. They'd do a lot worse than William Wilburforce Freedom Ale by Westerham Brewery or, better still, Coppernob and Auburn Myth by our very own Tonbridge Brewery. I've never tried Tunbridge Wells Breweries ales on tap but the bottled versions of the best bitter aren't half bad, if a little metallic for my taste. It would be a good idea for them, good to support the local producers and fabulous for the customer to be able to try out some of these less available, but excellent, beers. I don't know whether the Rose and Crown is tied to any particular big brewery but they're missing a trick if you ask me....

Church Marriage Blessings....

Page 3 of today's Courier tells us a nice local story about how St. Stephen's is hoping to save marriages from the dreaded divorce by hosting romantic dinners at the church. Couples are apparently being urged to give their relationships "an MOT!" The breakdown of marriage is a serious business indeed so I'm sure that the vicar, Rev. Mark Barker, is full of good intentions. (And, before you say anything, I feel sure that the menu wouldn't be limited to just bread, water and wine!) But, I'll tell you something, if I offered to take my wife for a romantic dinner in the church hall to save our marriage, however good the wine and grub, it would be Decree Nisi before you could say avocado prawn cocktail!...

Comedy and a load of old balls....

Another thing I found out at the Tonbridge Tweet Up last night in the Rose and Crown was that Angel Indoor Bowls Club hosts a regular comedy night. I like a bit of stand up myself so I may well have to go down there when the next one's on. The acts would have to be pretty good otherwise the members might throw things at them and those wooden bowling balls are pretty heavy and all! Also, I didn't let on last night that, in my youth, I used to be a bit of a dab hand at the old crown green bowls myself. Better not tell them that though otherwise they'll be pressurizing me into joining the club. Have I reached a ripe enough age yet to get back into bowls? Maybe I'll give it till I'm in my 70s! Only joking guys honestly....

Tonbridge Twitterati....

The Tonbridge Twittersphere is active this morning after many of the town's twitterati enjoyed a lovely evening in the oak beamed lounge bar of the Rose and Crown, fittingly right in the heart of the old town. I must admit I was slightly dreading the evening, although curious to know what all the fuss was about. So with more than a little trepidation I ventured out all of the 50 yards from Mr. Books across the High Street and into the back entrance of the hotel. Well I didn't want all the fuss of a big fanfare welcome from the mysterious, anonymous host, @Tonbridgetweet up (to use her twitter handle.) There I've half given the game away by telling you that she is in fact a female. So that narrows it down to half the population at least. On arrival I ordered my first pint of the evening and, taking a large thirst quenching gulp, wondered were the heck everyone else was. I could have used this moment to back out gracefully, having made the effort, and make a hasty gettaway, but the barman obviously sensed that I was here for something and informed me that the tweetuppers were in the bar at the end of the restaurant. I have to confess that I've always thought it better to remain at least semi anonymous on twitter but, having met a handlful of them, I'm coming round to the view that there's no harm in meeting up once in a while. After all we all have at least one thing in common: that bizarre desire to tell the rest of the world what we're doing and what we're thinking at any one time; to give our "followers" snapshots into our own world. I personally find the whole business of blogging very liberating and, let's face it, we all like to get things off our chest once in a while and, this way at least, you might strike a chord with somebody out there and maybe they'll sympathise with you. So we all sat around in a big semi circle, rather awkwardly at first without the laptop or smartphone, and some fibre optic cable, between us. There were more than few longish pauses, the atmospshere somewhere between a gathering of new friends and a company conference on the first night. Within an hour or so most people were joking and sharing stories like old friends; the beer and wine helping to loosen our tongues of course. The Rose and Crown did us proud by bringing us lots of tasty snacks like chips, crisps, bowls of olives, bread and some really rather scrummy sausages on cocktail sticks. The hotel staff were understandably keen to keep the tweetuppers coming back. Perhaps they sensed that the group are actually quite influential of opinions in Tonbridge or, perhaps, they were just being nice. Either way the food was appreciated and saved me getting a burger and chips from the kebab shop on the way home which was my other plan. So would I go again? I hear a few of you ask. Probably yes, especially since I'm literally spitting distance away. Not that I'm planning to be spitting across the High Street! Anyway I must sign off now as, probably, no one is reading this any way. They're all on twitter! The only snag with twitter though is that you have to get everything into 140 characters. Where TonbridgeBlog has the advantage is that you can say it in 1,400 if you want to. So my twitter entry for the above might read something like: "Rose+Crown @tonbridgetweetup last nite g8 fun although slightly awkwrd at 1st. Fab food + gd company. See you all Feb" Damn it that's still too long to fit! 

Tonbridge Has Talent....

This morning I've accepted an invitation to be a judge at Tonbridge Has Talent which is being held at the EM Forster Theatre next Friday. It's a great night out if you've never been before and tickets do sell fast I'm told. It never ceases to amaze me just how much talent their is in the town. Last year there were singer song writers, bands, comedians, jugglers, dancers, and even a ventriloquist whose dummy was alive! (or was that the year before? either way it obviously had an impact on me, mentally scarred me for life you might say!) It was reported in the local press that I was the harsh Simon Cowell-like member of the judging panel which I thought was a little unfair. I may have told it like it was on a few occasions but then that's life. They have to be able to take the criticism now if they want to go on to great things later! I hope I can, in my own small way help them on that path!...

Titanic 1912-2012...

Poor Taste or just tastes poor?

Just had an interesting conversation in my shop on the story, which ran in the Courier last Friday, all about a customer who took exception to a beer called Titanic being on sale at the Little Brown Jug pub, Chiddingstone Causeway. An angry customer called David Price, who I happen to know quite well, was put out that the pub's refused to accept that their beer, Titanic Iceberg, which the blurb on bottle claims will "hole any passing thirst" was in poor taste. That's not to say that it tastes poor, in fact, so I'm told, it tastes quite nice and is very refreshing when served ice cold (which, after all, is the message they're somewhat brashly trying to get across.) He took particular umbrage because this year is the centenary of the famous doomed voyage of the "unsinkable" ship going down and many hundreds of passgenger meeting their end in the freezing cold seas of the North Atlantic Ocean. The brewery, in their defence has been around since 1985 according to their web site so you could argue that it's in no more poor taste now than it was 20 years ago, 2 years ago or 2 months ago. I'm sure the story has been blown up out of all proportion anyway and it was as much a result of some sarcastic comment from the barman or something of that nature. Mr Price most probably wrote a letter to the paper and the editor, I'd have thought, saw a story in it with the topical nature of the Costa Concordia but then that's what newspaper editors get paid for isn't it? Still, as they say, no such thing as bad publicity and I'm sure the landlord of the Little Brown Jug will be pleased with the temporary uplift in trade. I've never been in the place as it happens but I might give it a try now. And no I won't be going in there and making jokes about sinking a few pints thank you very much!...

A Day at the Wells....

Coming back from The Wells the other day I caught the bus which, for me, is a very infrequent occurance. I might even say an alien experience. Being a stranger to this mode of transportation I enquired at the bus stop opposite the Civic Centre as to whether or not the gentlemen's Arriva bus was bound for Tonbridge town. Expecting a courteous reply the driver gestured with his hands towards the front of the bus and informed me "Says High Brooms!" in a rather distasteful and uncourteous manner. Tunbridge Wells in its 18th Century hay day this was not! The driver may as well have said "Are you thick or something mate, can't you bleedin read?!" for that was the tone in which he imparted his travellling information advice. My children have oft told me how blunt these stage coach drivers can be of a morning when they are on there school journeys, how they like their little power trip in a job that is, in all probabilty, otherwise incredibly dull and unfulfilling, but here I was experiencing it first hand. I said to the driver something like; "You are assuming that I know the area and I'm a regular bus user in saying that!" He gestured with a shrug of the shoulders that he didn't care two hoots and that whatever I said it would be water off a duck's back. Amazing how he could impart all that with one shrug of the shoulders but it was definitely all there. So in front of all the bus travellers alighting from his High Brooms bound carriage I'm afraid I shouted rather loudly to the gentlemen that he was, and I quote a "Rude sod!" That told the blighter!...

Take a hike to Tunbridge Wells....

I had a lovely walk down to TunbridgeWells the other day. Yes, you heard me, a walk. I walked to Tunbridge Wells from Tonbridge on Monday. Why? I hear some of you saying; and that's just what my family said to me. Why would I do that when I could have caught the bus or driven or even cycled? Well for a few reasons actually. I've lived in Tonbridge for the best part of 23 years and have never done it before That was the first reason (and sometimes that's reason enough!) The second was I wanted to know how long it would take. And thirdly, I couldn't go running because of a strained calf muscle so I thought the next best thing would be to walk for a little more gentle exercise. Afterall it's only about 5 or six miles to the Pantiles, which was the ultimate destination, and, lately, I've been used to running further than that most Sundays. In truth though much of the walk was a little dull I have to say. From the top of Quarry Hill to Southborough Common takes only about half an hour but it seems like an age as the lorries buses and cars whip past you on that narrow stretch of the A26. You feel pretty lonely as there are very few other walkers or cyclists around. In fact you feel a bit of an oddball, a vagrant almost, so used to going by car are we. It's different if you're in a town or if you're out in the countryside with your walking boots on, climbing over styles and jumping across brooks; then you feel like your doing a leisure activity. But on the road you're just someone with no transport and not enough money to catch the bus; or at least I felt like that's what people might think. I spent all afternoon wandering around the shops and bought some nice new cloths in the Crew Sale and a few other bits and bobs. So catching the bus on the way home I felt a bit more normal with my expensive looking shop carrier bags. I'll probably never do it again but at least I now know that it takes only an hour and twenty minutes brisk walk from Tonbridge right to the centre of Tunbridge Wells, nothing really when you think about it. So next time I hear of kids bunking off school because of a bit of snow or bus drivers being on strike there'll be no excuses. They can take a hike....

Can Brian's Bikes find the next Mr. Book bike?....

Now there's a challenge! I've just spoken to Brian of Brian's bikes in Holford Street, Tonbridge (behind the railway station as if you didn't know) about getting another butchers delivery bike to replace the one that was thoughlessly wrecked by oiks at the bus stops under the Castle. He's now on the case, so to speak, and, hopefully, will be able to sell me one soon. There are some on ebay at the moment going for around a hundred quid and upwards so I could have the Mr. Books Bike II out on duty next week if I wanted to but I'm in no desperate rush and it'd be nice if Brian can get hold of one for me in working order and ideally a Pashley, with basket, a leather seat and a the original silver bell (not that I'm fussy) so I'll be able to show it off by riding it up and down the High Street. Perhaps I could even deliver some books on it. That'd be fun!...

Humphrey Bean Versus The P&J....

Had one of my rare mid week nights out in Tonbridge last night when an old work colleague came over to see me. We had a lot of catching up to do so we needed somewhere we could talk, get a nice pint and, since neither of us had eaten by the time he arrived, somewhere that did half decent food quickly at a moderate price. I can count the number of times that I've been in the Humphrey Bean Wetherspoons on one hand and I don't really like these souless places but, I have to admit, on this occasion it ticked all the boxes. It turned out to be Thursday Curry Night so I could feel a Chicken Tika Massala coming on as soon as we walked in. A bit predictable I know and, in truth, it was at best average but it filled the gap so to speak and served a purpose and you can't argue with six quid for a ruby murray and a pint now can you! Because we were having curry I plumped for a lager as my meal deal pint which was pretty much as I expected for a Carling Black Label. It washed down the tika nicely buts that's about all. For my next pint in The Spoons (as I think the youngsters are calling the HB these days) I wanted to be a bit more adventurous so walked the length of the bar in search of something new. To my delight they did have a couple of interesting local beers which the barman/assistant manager let me sample first before I committed to a full pint. Unfortunately he would only let me try two out of the four or five I wouldn't have minded a finger or two of. Maybe he thought that I was a hobo just asking to sample everything and then, half cut, saying I won't bother before going outside to scrape up yet more tab ends to smoke in the shop doorway I'd chosen to doss down in for the night! In the end I went for a Westerham Brewery's bitter which was very acceptable and I will be back for more even though, as my friend said, they are really a McPub. That is to say, like McDonalds, predictable and consistant but, for me anyway, that also goes along with souless and distinctly average.
So after that experience I had to take my friend to a place where I know you can get a good pint: The Punch and Judy next to the Police Station. I wanted to try the Tonbridge Brewery's Coppernob which I knew they had in. If it was anything approaching as good as their Auburn Myth then I knew we were in for a treat. We weren't disappointed. It was quite simply splendid. Tasty, zesty, slightly malty possibly, a tiny bit fruity and nectar in a glass. My friend decided to wup me at the bar billiards table while we chatted about old times. He was doing a good job of it until in both the second and the third leg of our three game epic encounter his impatience and greed for those bonus 200 points got the better of him and he managed to bowl over the black skittle. Nice to have a night out in Tonbridge in two very different pubs. No prizes for guessing though which one Tonbridge Blog prefers....

A Sevenoaks Grammar School please for Tonbridge's sake!...

You can tell which papers I tend to read online most days can't you?! There's a very interesting article in the Telegraph today, which I just happened to stumble across, about the plan to set up a grammar school in Sevenoaks. It talks about the situation at the moment whereby the poor, pushy parents of Sevenoaks have to cram their boys with of hours of personal tutoring to enable them to get top marks in the 11+ exam in order that they'll get a place at the super selective Judd School. It doesn't mention the current knock on effect of  Tonbridge boys being displaced by Judd and having to go to schools in Tunbridge Wells if they happen to drop a couple of points on the 11+ paper. So yes I personally hope that that Sevenoaks gets its own grammar so that yet more young boys in their smart new blazers aren't forced to endure seven years of journey's on that car park that is the St. Johns road into Tunbridge Wells every morning....

Breathless and sweaty of Tonbridge....

I loved these pictures in the Telegraph today, taken in a Paris park by Sacha Goldberger, of joggers just after a run looking out of breath and sweaty. She then contrasts that look by an adjacent picture of the same person in similar but smart clothes. I liked it anyway. I suppose it appealed to both the runner and the photographer in me. I wonder what I'd have looked like if she'd taken one of me after my seven mile jog around Tonbridge yesterday. Not a pretty sight either before or after I should think!...

Farmers Market: keeping it local....

Don't forget to visit the Tonbridge Farmers Market tomorrow morning. It's the first one of the new year so it could do with your support. Last month there were almost 70 stalls selling a huge variety of local produce from fruit and veg to meat and game and everything in between. I shall be going down there for breakfast in the covered "food hall" area. What shall I have? Maybe a pork and apple burger or a chocolate crepe or maybe I'll just have lots of free samples of cake, pies and cheese! All washed down with a freshly made coffee made with fair trade beans. Keep it local and get yourselves down there....

Farewell John Marshall....

I've just heard the tragic news that the Director of Tonbridge School Facilities, John Marshall, died suddenly over Christmas at a terribly young age. I knew John mainly through business having dealt with him for many years regarding the Tonbridge Book Fair held at the school. More recently though I've got to know him much better as both John and I sat on the Tonbridge Arts Festival Committee. I always found him to be very pleasant to deal with and he always managed to conduct affairs in a way which allowed the balance to be just right between being jovial and business like at the same time. He always came across as a happy chap which influenced those around him to be the same. He'll be sadly missed....

Tonbridge Half Marathon date confirmed

And speaking of catching the running bug I've just heard that the Tonbridge Half Marathon is to go ahead on Sunday September 23rd after its very successful inaugural event last year. They've extended the limit of entries to 1,500 this year having had many runners unable to register with the previous limit of 1,000. (All the more annoying since only 850 actually started the race.) I'm told by the race organisers that the route is to remain the same which is a bit of a shame because, and I think I can speak for most participants, it would be nice if some of the course went through Tonbridge itself instead of just skirting it. Unless of course they rename it the Leigh Half Marathon which might be more accurate! This year then no one should be disappointed but, just in case book it early; you can do it now online then get some training in because, I can tell you from my own experience last year, it's quite a tough, hilly course especially if, like last year, it's a hot day.  I'm off to investigate bare foot running shoes and GPS watches!...

Happy 2012....

Welcome back and a big HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. What a wonderful Christmas no doubt you had. Mine was a nice quiet family one, although most of us weren't too well at some stage or other. New Year was a little more rowdy but, as you get older you stop going out to parties as you see there's not that much to celebrate, preferring instead a fairly quiet one with family and friends watching Jools Holland yet again. Okay, the truth is, no one invited me to anything better and I'm really not that popular any more if I ever was! My New Years Day started with a refreshing morning 6 mile run along the sea front as, in a moment of utter madness a couple of months ago, I'd entered the Cleethorpes New Years Day 10K. Well it is my home town, so it was a great excuse to go home for New Years Eve and then blow the cobwebs of the next morning. The prospect of this madness would surely horrify most people but, as you may know, I'm well into my running at the moment and it's these event which keep me out there training whenever I can. A great motivation it is not to want to look a fool on race day! If you're interested, which you're probably not, I achieved my target time of under an hour, 59 minutes and 45 seconds to be precise, and mighty pleased I was too. I've already entered the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon in another moment of sheer lunacy this morning and may well go for the Paddock Wood and Tonbridge later in the year. I've got lots of book fairs planned in already so my year is pretty much mapped out for me. How about yours?...